Compare And Contrast Signal Words

Writing is a very complicated process, which involves multiple stages and requires lots of elements to be combined and twisted in a single drawing. Writing can also be called a sort of communication because an author aims to communicate his or her ideas in various ways.

That is why, if you want to render your thoughts in a clear and engaging manner, you may surely need signal words. They are like road signs, mapping the text and connecting its parts together. They are also called transition words and aim to combine different parts of sentences or two paragraphs.

Signal words types

There are many types of signal words, so you need to get familiar with all of them in order to apply properly and not to confuse the reader.

Emphasis words

Every writing contains multiple ideas. Some of them are central, while the rest are not so important. However, there are no universal ideas, which are equally important to each and every person on Earth.

Of course, global warming is a very important topic but there are still many people, who don’t believe in it. That is why the significance of an idea depends on the author’s thoughts and the context.

That is when emphasis words come in hand. They help the reader to understand what the author finds important. In such a way they get an image what side the writer is on and what his opinion on the topic is.

For example: The only effective weapon to fight corruption in countries of the third word is a political command.

Through such words, we understand that the author distinguishes political approach among other ways of fighting corruption.

Additional words

When such words are used at the beginning of the sentence, it means that the writer will be providing several arguments on the same topic. Such additional words include first, for one thing and others.

For example, first of all, you need to approach your professor and ask for specific recommendations.

There are also additional words, which can be used to continue the thought: in addition, moreover, secondly and so on. Words, which are used at the end of the sentence, include finally and last of all.

Contrast and comparison words

Such words are among the most popular ones because they help to point on differences and similarities of two various items.

Comparison words: equally, likewise, just as and much more. For example,

A political command is very important in dealing with corruption, just as obeying the laws.

Contrast words indicate thoughts’ changes of the author. They show that the writer is willing to move in a different direction from the thoughts, which were expressed before. This is when words like but, however, still, conversely and others are used.

For example: I love traveling to other states, however, I would never leave California for good.

Illustration words

Such words are used, when the author wants to give an example of the thought or idea, which they render. Illustration words include for instance, for example, such as, to depict and so on.

For example: There are many ways we can show our affection, such as physical presence, gifts, sweet words and much more.

Cause and effect signal words

When using such words, the author signals that he or she is willing to mention the results of the concept, which were stated before. Examples of such words include, therefore, as a result, because and others.

For example: Political command is crucial in fighting corruption because politicians are the ones, who make the policy.

Final thoughts

As you see from examples above, signal words bear such a name, because they act like signals of which direction the author is willing to move. They help the reader to acquire new information and follow the author’s thoughts.

Importance of signal words is obvious, so you need to adapt them in your texts in order to create a strong, clear and readable text.